SPAR Hungary uses 150 tonnes of plastic waste each year to make recyclable shopping bags. This is a major step towards recycling waste plastic film responsibly and significantly reducing the landfill waste, thereby reducing carbon-dioxide emissions and reducing the ecological footprint.

“Through our sustainability initiatives, SPAR Hungary is working to reduce the volume of waste film generated across its network every year. Last year, we took a significant step towards recycling some of the generated plastic waste through an innovative circular waste management initiative. This new programme uses the company’s plastic waste to make shopping bags that can also be recycled. These bags are now available in our stores,” explained Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR Hungary.

SPAR Hungary collect the plastic film waste from its stores and transports it to its two logistics centres for baling. SPAR Hungary has obtained special authorisation from the waste management company to transfer as much plastic film waste to its expert partner as is required to make recycled shopping bags.

Long-term usage

Papier-Mettler manufactures two types of products – a ribbon-handle bag and, from 2025, a giant bag – from SPAR Hungary’s plastic waste. The intention is for SPAR Hungary to supply the organisation with 150 tonnes of used film per year for raw materials. The process will transform single-use packaging (stretch film, shrink film) into a reusable, recyclable product. Uniquely in Europe, the Papier-Mettler plant turns waste plastic film into a granulate which can then be reused to make shopping bags for SPAR Hungary.

The first test delivery was shipped in autumn 2023, and after positive feedback, SPAR Hungary decided to extend this solution to all its stores from September 2024. The recycled bags will have the same lifecycle, durability and stability as the previous bags. In addition, the plastic bags made from waste can also be recycled: they can be reused when put into the sorted plastic recycling bins.

Read more about plastic reduction initiatives engaged in by SPAR Hungary as part of its sustainability programme.

Source: SPAR Hungary

Read more about SPAR Hungary

About SPAR Hungary

The first SPAR Supermarket opened in Hungary in 1992, following the acquisition by ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG) of a majority stake in General Kereskedelmi Rt. SPAR Hungary is one of the country’s largest employers, with a network of company-owned and independently run stores operating nationwide.